Lot: L9 (Taxlots)

This little house stood on land which Cornelis van Ruyven and Jacob Strycker had bought for investment (see No. 7). Van Ruyven, sent over by the West India Company as provincial secretary, assumed his duties in November, 1653. His first official signature, written on November 25th, is affixed to the grant of the excise privilege to the municipality. — Rec. N.Am., I: 130. He remained secretary until the surrender, in 1664. — Ibid., V: 143. He lost no time after his arrival in wooing and winning the affections and hand of Hillegond Megapolensis, the daughter of the domine, whom he married June 24, 1654. — Marriages in Ref. Dutch Ch., 19. In 1663, he built for her a fine residence next door to her father's house on the Broadway (Block A, No. 5). In 1674, he returned to Holland with his family, his wife's mother accompanying them (see Block A, No. 7).

During Van Ruyven's twenty years residence here, he filled various positions of trust. The Records show many instances of his just and helpful attitude towards his fellow-townsmen, whom he served as vendue master and churchwarden. — Rec. N. Am., II: 54, 82; III: 92; IV: 263; VI: 103, 215. He became receiver of the West India Co., in 1657. — Cal. Hist. MSS., Dutch, 182-3. In that capacity, after the surrender, he turned their affairs over to Governor Nicolls. — General Entries, 1 : 142. He was one of the first aldermen under the English rule (M. C. C, II: 53; General Entries, I: 173), and was one of the prominent citizens consulted on the re-erection of the Dutch government. — Rec. N. Am., VI: 395.